The AQMD board voted 7-6 Friday in favor of approving its staff recommendation to move beach fire rings that are within 700 feet of homes. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

What's next?

The city of Newport Beach will have to decide whether to remove all of its 60 fire pits that are within 700 feet of homes or determine if it is possible to move them elsewhere. City Manager Dave Kiff said he expects to bring several possible options, including starting a trial program with propane-fueled fire pits. The city may have to get approval from the California Coastal Commission, depending on what the City Council decides.

Huntington Beach may also have to move or remove 30 of its fire pits on Huntington State Beach within 700 feet of the Cabrillo Mobile Home Park. Capistrano Beach Park in Dana Point and Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro may also lose one or two fire pits.

DIAMOND BAR – The fate of fire pits on Orange County beaches remains murky, with several questions remaining, after the South Coast Air Quality Management District's board's split vote Friday in favor of regulating the popular beach icons.

The board decided that fire pits within 700 feet of homes should be moved or removed. This becomes effective March 1, 2014, which means it will not affect the beaches this summer.

Also, the board approved a provision giving local governments the authority to declare a nuisance with regard to wood-burning pits so that each jurisdiction can make a decision based on its needs. A last-minute provision that fire rings that are wheelchair accessible should not be removed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act was also approved.

Board members were unanimous in expressing how difficult this emotional debate and the decision have been for them. But the vote was split at 7-6 with Orange County representatives – Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and Supervisor Shawn Nelson – voting against the AQMD staff proposal and for saving all the fire rings.

Board members heard more than three hours of public testimony and staff reports before taking a vote. Still, several questions remain. Will Newport Beach remove its fire pits? Will AQMD's decision override the California Coastal Commission's authority? Will propane fire pits grace Orange County's beaches?

Disappointed fire pit supporters yelled out to board members after the meeting, some of them shouting, "This place is corrupt!"

Corona del Mar residents Frank and Barbara Peters, who have been vocal supporters of removing the pits, were escorted to their vehicle by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies because they said they feared for their safety.

The Peterses and others who supported AQMD's proposal did not want to comment after the decision. But Frank Peters said before the meeting that regulators should put public health before public enjoyment.

"So many people suffer from asthma in this area and it has been scientifically proven that fire pits aggravate that condition," he said. "What about all the children living in the area? Who is going to speak for them?"

Those who support the pits said AQMD, by supporting their staff's proposal, would take away access to a low-cost public amenity and extinguish a decades-long tradition that defines Southern California beach culture.

Cade Myers, 12, a member of Boy Scout Troop 661 in Mission Viejo, said fires keep beachgoers warm after a day of surfing and body boarding and that they mean the world to his family.

"Every year at my birthday party, we have a huge bonfire and a great time," he said. "Please don't take the fire pits away."

The fire pits issue began when the Newport Beach City Council voted unanimously in March 2012 to get rid of the 60 fire rings at Corona del Mar State Beach and near the Balboa Pier.

Initially, the air quality agency's staff recommended getting rid of all fire rings along the Los Angeles County and Orange County coast. However, after widespread public outrage over the removal of these beach icons, staff members struck a compromise by coming up with a revised proposal to set a buffer zone of 700 feet between fire rings and homes.

More than 80 people submitted cards to speak at the meeting, which was attended by more than 300. Many rode the bus from Huntington Beach, chartered by that city, chamber and visitors' bureau, to AQMD's headquarters in Diamond Bar.

A majority of those who spoke at the meeting were in favor of saving the fire pits. Many in the meeting room wore buttons and carried placards with the refrain: "Keep your mitts off our pits." Some wore black T-shirts that read: "Save our bonfire rings."

A few also spoke about the effect the smoke has on their quality of life. Charles Farrell, a Balboa Peninsula resident, said he and his family, who live about 200 feet from the fire pits, are experiencing adverse health effects from the wood smoke.

"We get headaches, coughing and sleeplessness as a result of the burning," he said. "This is where we draw the line."

Many others evoked fond memories of gatherings around the beach fires with family members and friends. Several elected officials also spoke at the meeting – all in support of keeping the fire rings.

Leslie Daigle was the sole Newport Beach council member present at Friday's meeting. Daigle said she reversed her position after seeing the science on the issue and after seeing the overwhelming love and respect that people have for the beach tradition.

The AQMD board voted 7-6 Friday in favor of approving its staff recommendation to move beach fire rings that are within 700 feet of homes. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beach-goers enjoy the fire pits in Huntington Beach on a recent evening. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beach-goers enjoy the fire pits in Huntington Beach on a recent evening. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
With his daughter, Breanna, 3, by his side, Bruce Wareh of Huntington Beach speaks in favor of fire pits during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Students from Woodbridge High roast hot dogs and spend time at a fire pit at Big Corona inside Corona del Mar State Beach last month. ROD VEAL, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The shirt of Matthew Harper of Huntington Beach at the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board hearing in Diamond Bar Friday. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Hundreds of flickering fires glow in the darkness at Huntington Beach on any given summer night. FILE: ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Edward Pinchiff, a Huntington Beach planning commissioner, speaks about the fire pit issue Friday at the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board public hearing on the issue of fire pits in Diamond Bar. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
James Brown(upper right) of Huntington Beach holds a sign during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday afternoon as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
It was nearly a full room during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle speaks in favor of the fire pits during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Board members Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit and Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido listen to a speaker during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Proponents of the fire pits wave their arms in favor of a speaker's remarks in stead of clapping during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cade Myers, 12, of Rancho Santa Margarita speaks during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chairman William Burke questions Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
People from Huntington Beach unload off a bus Friday morning in Diamond Bar at the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board public hearing on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A man waves to passing cars outside the South Coast Air Quality Management District building in Diamond Bar Friday morning where the special governing board heard public comments and issued a ruling that there should be some restrictions concerning public health on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
State Senator Lou Correa speaks in favor of the fire pits during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Board members Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry talk as they listen to a speaker during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Proponents of the fire pits wave signs during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen speaks in favor of the fire pits during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
AQMD board member Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido speaks as Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry looks on during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cade Myers, 12, of Rancho Santa Margarita holds a sign during the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board meeting in Diamond Bar Friday as the board heard public comments on the issue of fire pits. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Frank Peters of Corona del Mar speaks against the fire pits Friday at the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board public hearing on the issue of fire pits in Diamond Bar. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff, speaks Friday following the South Coast Air Quality Management District special governing board public hearing on the issue of fire pits in Diamond Bar. MARK RIGHTMIRE, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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